DC Voting Rights Bill Delayed Again

A bill proposing the United States capital to have a voting representation in the US House of Representatives has been delayed again after issues regarding gun control were not settled.

Washington, DC., the nation’s capital, has a non-voting delegate who may sit on committees, participate in debate, and introduce legislation, but cannot vote on the House floor. But unlike territories Guam and Puerto Rico which also have non-voting delegates in the House, the capital is subject to all US Federal taxes. The capital also does not have representation in the US Senate.

The city’s leaders are split in accepting the bill as it has provisions to strip the city’s gun control laws.

“I could never support a compromise for fundamental voting rights and representation by making assault weapons legal on our streets and giving up local control of the city’s gun laws,” said Tommy Wells, Ward 6 councilman.

This is the second year in a row since 1978 that the law has been abandoned, both because of the gun control issues.

President Barack Obama is said to be in support for the capital to have House voting representation.